Type-writing machine



Patented Sept. 2, I902.

R. J. FISHER. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

(Applicatiox; filed Aug. 29. 1900.)

2 Sheets-Sheet. I.

- (No man.)

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. No. 708,2:3. Patented Sept. 2, 1902' B. J. FISHER.

TYPE wmnm; MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 29. 1900.;

2 SheetsSheet 21-.

{No Model.)

UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT JOSEPH FISHER, OF ATHENS, TENNESSEE, ASsIeNOE TO THE FISHER BOOK TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,213,dated September 2, 1902.

Application filed August 29, 1900. Serial No. 28,419. (No model.)

T all 11/77/017?! it m y OOH/067%: tion of atype-writing machine employiugtype Be it known that LROBERT JOSEPH FISHER, bars equipped with the improvement contema citizen of the United States, residing at Athplated by the present invention. Fig. 2 is a ens, in the county of McMinn and State of detail sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, 55 5 Tennessee, have invented a new and useful showing more plainly one arrangement of the Type-Writing Machine, of which the followtrip andbufier associated with the type-barsto ing is a specification. effect the necessary adjustment of the shift- This invention relates to type-writing maing and locking device for each shiftable chines, and has special reference to printing type-head. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail ele- 6o 10 mechanism employing type-heads each carryvation of a portion of a swinging type-bar ing a plurality of type whose printing-faces equipped with the improvements contemare disposed at an angle to each other. plated by the presentinvention, showing the The primary object of the present invenmovable type-head and the trigger which contion is to effect animprovementin the means stitutes the shifting and locking device in 15 for controlling a shiftable type-head carrying their normal positions. Fig. 4 is a similar view an upper and a lower casecharacter. showing the relation of the trip and the other To this end the invention contemplates the parts when a capital or upper-case character provision of suitable mechanical means in opis to be printed. Fig. 5 is a sectional View of erative relation to a shiftable or pivotal typethe swinging end of a type-bar thrown to the 20 carrying head to provide for the positive shiftprinting position and illustrating the moving or turning thereof to either of its operaable type-head and trigger associated theretive positions and holding the Same rigid in with in both of their adjust-ed positions, the such positions toinsure a true impression of different positions being illustrated respecthe type in proper alinement. tively by full and dotted lines. 25 In a more restricted aspect the invention Like numerals of reference designate corhas in view the provision of combined shiftresponding parts in the several figures of the ing and locking means carried by the typedrawings. bar and having an operative connection with The present invention is necessarily applithe shiftable type-head to provide for posicable to the printing mechanism of any form o tively turning it upon its axis to effect the of typewriting machines employing typeshifting movement thereof, while also providbars; but for illustrative purposes there is ing for looking or securing it in the shifted shown in the drawings a portion of that type position. V of machine known as the Fisher type- With these and many other objects in view, writer and a form of which is disclosed in my 5 which will readily appear, to those familiar former patent, No. 569,626, issued October with the art as the nature of the invention is 20, 1896. This type-writing machine embetter understood, the Same consists in the bodies asa part thereof a main frame 1, havnovel combination and relation of parts hereing a carriage-guide 2,upon which is arranged inafter more fully described, illustrated, and for movement the traveling carriage 3, carry- 4o claimed. ing the key-action, having operative connec- The essential feature of the invention retion with the swinging or pivotal type-bars 4, sides in suitable means carried by the typewhich are mounted in hangers arranged upon bar for positively turning the type-head upon the supporting-ring 4, fitted within-the frame its axis in either direction, according as upof the machine. These are ordinary features 5 5 per or lower case characters are to be printed, of the Fisher type-writing machine and are and various forms of mechanical exped'ients not claimed herein, as the improvement formmay be resorted to for accomplishing this reing the subject-matter of the present invensult; but one of the preferable embodiments tion relates solely to the movable or shiftof the invention is shown in the accompanying type-head carried by each type-bar 4 and 50 ing drawings, in whichthe cooperating elements directly associated Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a portherewith.

The type-bars 4 shown in the drawings are of the swinging or pivotal type, and in carrying out the present invention each of the type-bars 4 carries a movable or shiftable type-head 5, which has fitted thereto in any approved way now practiced a pair of type 6 and 7, whose printing-faces are disposed at an angle to each other and respectively bear lower and upper case characters. The said movable or shiftable type-carrying head 5 is designed to be shiftable to either of two positions for the printing of upper or lower case characters and in the preferable construction is mounted to turn within the terminal bifurcation 8, formed in the free swinging end of the type-bar, said type-carrying head 5 being supported in place by a suitable pivot 0, pass ing therethrough and also through the side cheeks of the bifurcation 8 to provide a pivotal support, which constitutes the axis upon which the head 5 turns in shifting from one position to the other. Any other suitable means of pivotally or movably supporting the type-carrying head upon the type-bar may be resorted to without aifecting the result sought to be accomplished. By reason of being pivotally mounted within the bifurcation 8 of the type-bar the type-carrying head is held and braced more firmly to a proper working position and in the preferable construction is provided upon opposite sides thereof with inclined shoulder portions 10, adapted to engage against the contiguous edges of the checks of the bifurcations 8 to provide simple and efiective means for positively limiting the movement of the said type-carrying head in opposite directions, and at this point it may be observed that the preponderance of weight or the center of gravity of the type-carrying head is in advance of the pivotal point or axis 9, or, in other words, is located at one side of the type-bar, so that the normal tendency of the portion of the type-head carrying the type 6 and 7 is to drop to its lower position when the type-bar is at rest and to swing outward under centrifugal force when the type-bar is swung toward the printing-plane; but this normal tendency of the type-carrying head to move under the influence of gravity and centrifugal force is counteracted through the medium of the shifting and locking means for the type-carrying head, which will be hereinafter more fully described. The shiftable or movable type-carrying head 5 of each type-bar preferably has the lowercase character 6 innermost on account of the normal position in which the type-carrying head is preferably held, and in the carrying out of the present invention the type-carrying head 5 has projected beyond one side of its pivotal point or axis 9 a cam-ear 11, working within the bifurcation S and projecting beyond the side of the type-bar opposite the portion of the head carrying the type. In the construction shown in the drawings the cam-ear is of an approximately semicrescent shape; but the active portion of this cam-ear really resides in that portion which cooperates directly With the trigger 12, which portion is at the inner edge of the ear 11, and consists in providing such portion of the ear 11 with an arcuate bearing-face 13, against which plays the terminal shifter-finger let of the trigger 12. The shifter-finger 14 in the practical construction of the device maybe a separate or integral part of the trigger, but, as shown in the drawings, simply consists of the free end thereof, which is deflected laterally from the main stem or portion of the trigger, so as to reach into the bifurcation 8 beneath the head 5 and cooperate directly with the arcuate bearing-face 13 of the said cam-ear 11.

The trigger 12 is supported by and carried with the type-bar, and this trigger in the present invention not only constitutes a locking member or device for holding the typecarrying head rigid in its set or adjusted position, but also acts in the capacity of a mechanical shifter to provide positive mechanical means for turning the type-carrying head upon its axis in contradistinction to relying upon centrifugal force, gravity, or eqnivalentnon-mechanical means. The said trigger 2 is arranged, preferably, alongside of the type-bar contiguous to the swinging end thereof and at the rear of such type-bar or without the path of the type-bar, so as to cooperate with the trip and buffer elements hereinafter described. A preferable manner of supporting the triggerin active position is to provide the same at one end with arounded hub or heel 15, pivotally mounted in the slot 16, formed in the type-barat an intermediate point, and projecting through said slot, said hub or heel being adapted to be permanently engaged by the free end of a friction or brake spring 17, secured fast, as at 18, to the stem or body of the type-bar. At this point it is to be further observed that the slot 16, Within which the hub end of the trigger is pivotally mounted, is restricted in its length sutficiently so as to act in the capacity of a stop to limit the movement of the trigger, so as to obviate the tendency of the same to swing away from the type-bar and become disengaged from the cam element of the type-carrying head 5.

In addition to the features described the trigger 12 is also preferably provided at the pivoted end thereof with a rearwardly-extendingcam-tail19,with which is designed to cooperate a movable key-actuated trip 20,Which is permanently located outside of the path of the said cam-tail 19 of the trigger 12 and in rear thereof when in the normally upright position, but shiftable to and away from a position for interference with the upstanding bend of the camtail 10. The said trigger is designed to also cooperate with a fixed trip member,which for conveniencein distinguishing it from the movable member 20 is termed a buffer 21, and this butter 21 is also permanently located in a position outside of the .path of the type-bar, in rear thereof, but is designed to cooperate with the laterally-offset the type-carrying head. The said resettingarm22 is suitably bent or inclined, so'as to. properly engage or ride uponthe fixed trip or bufier 21 when the latter is designed to come into play; but it will of course be understood that it is only necessary to preserve a proper working relation between these elements to secure the necessary operation.

In carrying out the present invention it is unimportant how the trips 20 and 21 are supported-in position within the machine, and it is also equally unimportant what particular key-actuated means are employed for adj usting or moving the trip 20; but these features of the invention are preferably similar to the corresponding features disclosed in my Reissue Patent No. 11,848, issued August 21,1900. As'shown in the aforesaid patent and in the drawings of the present case the movable trip 20 is usually in the form of a semiringv and is yieldingly sustained in an inoperative noninterfering position with reference to the cam portions or, trip-arms 19 of the triggers of the several type-bars, it of course being understood that the trip 20 is designed to extend around all of the type-bars of the typebasket and wholly outside of the path of movement thereof.

In the construction shown the trip 20 is vertically movable and is carried by a spiderframe 23, which is yieldingly sustained in an elevated position by a spring supporting device 24, which is designed to be depressed to lower the trip 20 through the mediumof a case-key 25, having operative connection with the said supporting device; but these features are only shown for illustrative purposes and constitute no part of the present invention.

the free end of the trigger 12,,(which consti tutes a com plete-shifting and locking device,) lies withinthe bifurcation Sand in engage ment with the type-carrying head 5 at one endofthearcuatebearing-face18 thereof. In

this position the trigger 12 acts as a positive lock for holding the type-head 15 rigid in its outturned position, with the lower-case char-'- acter 6 thereof in proper position for print ing. 1 This is thenormal position, and the parts remain in the relation specified as long With referenceto the bufier 21' the same is also in the form of asemiring as lower-case characters are being printed. It will be observed that the tendency of the type-carrying head 5 as the type-bar swings upon its axis toward the printing-plane is to remain in the position shown in Fig.3 of the drawings. Thisisduetothecentrifugal force which exerts itself as the type-bar is thrown to the writing-plane, so that the centrifugal tendency of the type-carrying head to move outward, together with the positive engagement of the trigger therewith, serves to hold the type-carrying head securely locked in position for printing lower-case characters. At this point it'may also be observed'that the inertia or tendency of the trigger to be thrown backward from the type-bar just as the latter suddenly leaves the buffer-ring 21 is obviated by the frictional engagement or pressure of the brake-spring 17 upon the hub or heel end 15 of the trigger. It should also be observed that upon the impact of the type with the work the tendency of the trigger is to move toward the type-bar, or, in other words, to keep its normal or lower-case position,which is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Now when it is desired to print upper-case characters the movable trip 20 is depressed by the key-actuated means therefor, so as to carry its lower edge into an interfering position with relation to the upstanding bend of the cam-tail 19 of the trigger, and as the typebar swings forwardly toward the writingplane the said cam-tail of the trigger drags beneath the depressed trip 20, thus oscillating the trigger upon its pivot or axis and'moving the free end thereof along the arcuate bearing-face13 of the cam ear or element 11, thus positively transmitting a shifting movement to the type-carrying head 5 and causing it to oscillate upon its axis or pivot 9 to bring the upper-case character 7 into printing position. In the printing of capitals the inertia of the trigger will tend to move the same out of engagement with the type-carrying'head as the type-bar leaves its normal position; but this is obviated by the limited movement of the hub or heel of the trigger in the slot 16 of the type-bar, therebypositively holding the trigger in operative relation by preventing it from coming entirely out from behind the cam element of the type-carrying head. In

the printing of capitals the free end or shifter element of the trigger therefore remains in engagement with the type-head and prevents centrifugal force, upon themovement of the lower-case characters. When printing upper-case or capital letters continuously, the trigger necessarily moves back and forth into and out of its two positions each time an upper-case character is printed; but this does not aifect the accurate and positive relation of the parts.

The essential features of the invention providing for the positive turning of the typehead upon its axis in eitherdirection and the locking of the same in either of its adjusted positionshave been particularly pointed out in connection with one embodiment thereof; but it will of course be understood that various mechanical expedients may be resorted to for securing the desired positive shifting of the type-head, and therefore various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the type-bar, of a pivotal type-head carried by the type-bar and having a cam-ear formed with an arcuate bearing-face, a trigger carried by the type-bar and having a shifter element cooperating with said bearingface, and means for actuating said trigger.

2. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the type-bar, and the type-head pivoted thereto, of a device carried by the typebar for shifting the type-head to either of two positions by engaging with said head at opposite sides of its pivotal point.

3. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the type-bar, and the type-head pivoted thereto, of a device carried by the typebar for shifting the type-head to either of two positions and locking the same in each position, said operations being effected by direct engagement with the head at opposite sides of its pivotal point.

4.. In a type-Writing machine, the combination with the type-bar, the type-head pivoted thereto, and means for limiting the swinging movement of the type-head beyond either of two positions, of a device carried by the typebar for positively shifting the head to and locking the same in either position.

5. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the type-bar, and the type-head pivoted thereto, of a device carried by the typebar directly engaging with the type-head for shifting the same to and locking said typehead in either of two positions, and means for limiting the movement of said device so as to hold it in engagement.

6. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the type-bar, and the shiftable typehead, of a device carried by the type-bar to shift the type-head to either of two positions and to lock the same, and separate trips arranged at all times outside of the path of the type-head and adapted to be brought alternately in contact with the device to cause the shifting of the type-head to one position and to restore said head to its normal position.

7. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the type-bar, and the pivoted typehead carried thereby and provided with a portion projecting beyond the pivotal point, of a device carried by the type-bar and having a shifting-finger engaging with the typehead and adapted to be transferred to opposite sides of the pivot of the head to shift the same into either of two positions.

8. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the type-bar, and the pivoted typehead carried thereby and provided with a portion projecting beyond the pivotal point, of a device carried by the type-bar and having a shifting-finger engaging with the typehead and adapted to be transferred to opposite sides of the pivot of the head to shift the same into either of two positions, a resettingarm and a tripping-tail carried by the device, and a double trip engaging with the trippingtail and the resetting-arm.

9. In a type-writing machine,the combination with the type-bar, and a movable typehead mounted thereon and adapted to be shifted to either of two positions, of a single device carried by the type-bar and engaging with the type-head for positively shifting the head to and locking the same in each position.

10. Inatype-writingmachine,thecombination with the type-bar, and a movable typehead mounted thereon and adapted to be shifted to either of two positions, of a single spring-actuated device carried 'by the typebar and engaging with the type-head for positively shifting the head to and locking the same in each position.

11. In a type-Writing machine,the combination with the type-bar, and a type-head pivoted thereto, of a device mounted on the typebar, independent of the type-head, but adapted to engage the same to shift it to either of two operative positions and also look the same in each position.

.12. In a type-writing machine,the combination with the type-bar, and a type-head pivoted thereto, of a device pivoted on the typebar, independent of the type-head,but adapted to engage the same to shift it to either of two operative positions and also lock the same in each position.

13. The combination with the type-bar, and the type-head pivoted thereto, of a single device pivoted on the type-bar, independent of the type-head, but adapted to engage the same to shift the type-head to either of two positions and serve as a lock for the said head in each position, and a spring acting against the said device for the purposes described.

14. The combination with the type-bar, and the shiftable type-head pivoted thereto, of a IIO my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT JOSEPH FISHER.

WVitnesses:

JAMES D. WILLIAMS, J OHN L. EMERSON. 

